Indoor golf



'B. c. WARLICK INDOOR GOLF Filed March 2. 1927 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 .Q. $1 .3; I R

Attornqy Patented May 15, 1928.

UNITED STATES BERNIE C. WABLIQK, OF AMARILLO, TEXAS.

I INDOOR GOLF.

Application filed March 2,

This invention relates to an improved game, which I have chosen to designate as indoor golf.

Briefly, the invention hasreference to a structure which 'is set up indoors for enabling one or more players to play the game. The players employ regulation or standard golf balls and clubs.

One feature of the invention is an improved cage comprising side walls a top wall, and an end wall, the side and top walls being preferably of netting, and the end wall being of canvas to operate as a pliable backstop.

Another feature of the invention is a runway or surface over which the golf balls are driven, the same comprising a covered bottom at one end of which is an incline having ball receiving cups, and at the opposite end of which is a platform serving as a tee and a water pan operating as a hazard.

Another feature of the invention is a golf ball operated electrical'means for register ing the points as made.

-A further feature of the invention is a novel ball return device, for delivering the balls back to the drive off tee.

Other features and advantages of the invention will become apparent from the following description and drawings.

In the accompanying drawings, forming a part of this application, and in which like numerals are employed to designate like parts throughout the same:

Figure 1 is a longitudinal section through the entire apparatus, showing the general arrangement of parts.

Figure 2 is a top plan view of the base structure. x

Figure 3 is an enlarged detail sectional view of one of the ball receiving cups and the electrical circuit closer which cooperates therewith.

Figure a is a section, on the line 4-4 of Figure 2.

Figure 5 is a diagrammatic view of the electrical contrivance and Wiring.

Referring to Figure 1, it will be noticed that a suitable supporting frame is provided, the same comprising spaced parallel runners 1, and suitable vertical uprights 2, between which are cross pieces 3. Supported from the uprights is a frame which carries additional cross pieces 4, upon which the boards 5 and 6 are mounted. These boards are of general rectangular configuration in 1.927. Serial No. 172,042.

top plan view. This structure forms what is designated as the runway. For convenience of description, the portion 7 of the runway 'is designated as the substantially flat portion of the golf green, while the portion 8 is designated as the incline. The portion 7, however, isnot truly fiat, but is substantially so, the inclined portion being very gradual. The surfaces of the board are coveredby green felt 9, of an appropriate texture to. react upon the driven balls. At the upper end of the incline 8 is a metal trough 10, and at the outer end of the flat s the other trough 11. Mounted on the incline are cups 12 of a size to receive the golfball. The cups are arranged in an orderly fashion, being preferably disposed in rows, the length of the rows gradually decreasing in a rearward or outward direction, as shown in Figure 2.

Considering further the runway or driveway,'it will be noticed that at one end of the flat 7 there is a water containing pan 13, supported on a base 14, of appropriate elevation. Also removably associated with the water pan is a small platform 15, having a suitable pad 16 arranged thereon. This operates as the tee. Incidentally the water pan is broadly described as a hazard, and is preferably located in proximity to the tee.

Attention is now directed to an inclined Figure 3, wherein it will be seen that each cup 12 is open at its bottom and this bottom .is closed by a hinged cover 21, which carries an extension on which a counter-weight 22 is mounted. The extension also carries a contact 23 which cooperates with another contact 24, on a supporting arm 25. An electric wire 26 connects with an arm 25, and another electric wire 27 is in electrical connection with the contact 23, through the medium of its carrier extension and hinge Closely associah d with the electrical means closure plate 29 which is hingedly mounted,

, and which carries an arm which serves as a opunter weight 30. This counter weight operf'ates as a contact for cooperation with another contact 31, and wires 26 and 27 are employed as in the instance already described for producing an electric circuit. 1 also direct attention to Figure 5 at this time, wherein it will be noted that I provide a current supply battery and an electrical wiring system including a multiplicity of wires which are duplicates of the wires 26 and 27 already described. These wires lead to and connect with lamps (not shown) in the indicator and register casing 20. It will be noticed that a series of lenses are employed here and are indicated by the numbers 1 to 6 inclusive. These are the numbers by which the score is kept. It is to be assumed that the electric circuits controlled by the closures 30 and 31 in the two troughs 10 and 11 connect with the light for operating the lens 6. The circuit connected with the foremost cup 12 (the single cup in Figure 2) control the light indicated by the character 1. The next row of cupsoperates number 2, the next row operates number 3, and so on. In this connection, it is obvious that as the balls strike the hinged member 21 or 29 as the case may be, the circuit is closed momentarily. and the proper light behind the proper lens is illuminated to show where the ball went to.

It is yet to be pointed out that the cage comprises a netting including side walls, 33, top wall 34, appropriate suspension mem bers 35, and a canvas back stop 36, located at the remote end of the structure. In playing the game, standard golf balls are used, as well as regulation clubs, the player choosing the appropriate character of club which best suits him. The ball to be driven is placed on the tee 16 and the drive is made in the customary way for driving the ball in the direction of the back stop, and longitudinally through the cage; Of course, the player attempts to drive the ball into the foremost cup. However, if the ball goes into any one of the cups, it will pass on through the cup, opening the lid or door on the bottom of the cup, and closing the electrical circuit. When the electrical circuit is closed, it will operate a predeter counts 3. Should it go into any one of the troughs 10 or 11, it counts 6. Also, if the ball goes into the water pan or hazard 13 it also counts 6, and it is necessary for the player to drive the ball from the pan, in. 1

order to continue the lay.

From the foregoing escription and drawings, it will be seen that I have evolved a simple, inexpensive, and rather novel and characteristic indoor golf device, such as will serve to be amusing as well as instructive. It is believed that by considering the 1 description in connection with the drawings,

persons familiar with the game of golf will understand the merits and advantages of this game. Therefore, a more lengthy description is thought unnecessary.

While the preferred embodiment of the invention has been shown and described, it is to be understood that minor changes coming within the field of invention claimed may be resorted to if desired.

I claim:

1. In a game apparatus of the class described, a golf ball driveway including a substantially flat intermediate portion at one end of which is an incline, a multiplicity of cups carried by said incline, a trough at the uppermost end of the incline, another trough at the inlet end of the fiat portion, a water pan located at the last named end of the flat portion, a golf ball tee associated with said water pan, and an enclosing cage for the major portion of the driveway.

2. In a game apparatus of the class de-. scribed, a golf ball driveway including asubstamtially flat intermediate portion at one end of which is an incline, a multiplicity of cups carried by said incline, a trough at the uppermost end of the incline, another trough at the inlet end of the flat portion, a water pan located at the last named end of the flat portion, a golf ball tee associated with said water'pan, and an enclo'sing'cage for the major portion of the driveway, together with an automatic ball return device, located on the under side of the driveway and serving to return the balls to a receiving rack on the tee.

3. In a golf game structure of the class described, a driveway including a covered tee, a hazard abutting said tee, said hazard clined portion, a multiplicity 0 individual ball receiving cups on said nclined portion, a ball return in communication with said cup and leading back to said tee, and a cagenet enclosing said driveway and including a pliable backstop at one end of said inclinea portion.

In testimony whereof I ailix my signature.

BERNIE G. WAR-LICK. 

